Megas Logothetes' and Senators' Reports

[Zim]

1186-1187 Megas' Report

Military:

There was a recruitment freeze these past seasons as funds were insufficient to hire more soldiers. I apologize for my inefficient handling of military recruitment thus far in my term. While I was able to put together effective armies for the wars we are in, I did not account for the drain of rebel armies in Imperial territory confiscating supplies and money for wages, or the loss of Alexandria, Cairo, and Damascus. Worse still Senators Erotikos and Kousinos continue to drain the Imperial coffers while fleeing the beleaguered Levant with armies stolen from the House that guards her. Every drop of blood lost in Damascus and any other settlements that may fall in the region is on their heads.

As soon as the rebellion officially ends and Erotikos answers as to his intentions I hope to begin some demilitarization to save money. Ideally this would start with the large armies under Erotikos and Kousinos, which serve no purpose wandering around the middle of the Empire far from any front. If that were done I would also reduce my own forces, instead serving under Ammonathas on the Venetian front.

I see little hope of this being done but it is my wish and would be best for the Empire. Rather I suspect Erotikos and his lackey plan on marching on our capital, may God help us.

Economic:

The Imperial economy is in shambles with the loss of so many of it's best cities. Even the merchants seem to be bringing in fewer florins, and we lost one near Antioch this past season. It is my hope that we soon get past this era of rebellion and loss...

General Affairs of the Empire:

I have again saved the worst and momentous news for last. While there was good news in that the rebel scum Methodios Tagaris met his end, it was balanced by the horrendous news of our beloved Basileus Ioannis, son of Alexios Komnenos who forged this Empire, has passed away under somewhat disturbing circumstances. His doctors had said he would soon recover from his scurvy. They appear to have been mistaken...

These are dark times for the Empire. The traitor Methodios' son, Ioannis Tagaris, was named by his father as heir and now stakes a claim to be Basileus. The much worthier Adronikos Komnenos also has a claim to the throne as Caesar. I fear we are lost...


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